the major difference between restarting your computer or just restarting Creator is the .NET framework. If you start Creator for the first time, it needs to load a number of drivers, if you close it and start it again without a power cycle in between, it starts a lot faster.

I have not noticed the bahavior you described but I thought this might be interesting to watch for you if some other programs mess with your windows anviroment.

Please let us know if you find out what is is. I will also keep an eye open for this issue.